Nut-cracking machine



Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,019

1.. MYERS NUT CRACKING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Leo Myers BWHWW ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1927.

L. MYERS NUT CRACKING MACHINE Filed April 23, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Filed April 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y m R R svw N EWflN M m 1M7 o e L Dec. 20, 1927. 1,653,019

| MYERS NUT CRACKING MACHINE Filed April 23, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INvENToR Leo Myers ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 192 7.

erss Lno MYn s, or KIn woon Mrs sonar.

resa e we series;

NUT-CRACKING ivracnrnn. I i

Application filed April 23, 1925. j Serial no. 25,233.

This invention pertains to nut cracking machines.

One of the objects of this inve'ntionis to effective discharging mechanism whichwill discharge the cracked nut without danger of clogging or fouling. V

Another ob ect is toprovide improved mechanism for feeding the nuts and for orienting the same 111 cracking position.

Further objects will appear from the fol- I lowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of'a nut cracking machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;-

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of F igure 1; V f

Figure f is a section on line 44 of Figure 1; a c

Figure 5 is a view similar'to Figure 3,

but showing the parts in the position as- I I V tothe plungers 18 by said toggle.

sumed when cracking the nut; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 illustrating the operation of dischargingthe cracked nut.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

1 designates the frame of'the machine which may be supported on suitable legs 2. Mounted in suitable bearings 3 at one end of the frame 1 is a main drive shaft 4: carrying a worm wheel 5 engaged by a worm 6 driven by a suitable motor 7 mounted on a bracket on the side of the frame 1. The shaft 4 carries at its end a sprocket adapted to drive by means of a chain 9 a second sprocket 10 on a counter shaft 11 mountedin I suitable bearings at the vother end of the framel. An idler sprocket 12 mounted for adjustment on a bracket 120 on the side of the frame serves to keep the chain 9 taut.

The shaft l has fixed thereto an eccentric 13 engaging apitman 1 1 pivoted at 15 to a slide 16 mounted to slide on ways 17 on the frame 1. The operation of the'eccentric 13 and the pitman 1e will therefore, give the slide 16 a reciprocating movement on the frame 1 in accordance with the rotat1on of the shaft 4:. Arranged at the opposite end offthe slide 16is pair of cylindrical guideways adapted to receive a pair of sliding plungers 18 each provided with a'protruding shank 19 equipped atits end with a socket 20 adapted to engage the'nutfor'cracking thesame. Each plunger 18 is provided with a movable head 21. The head 21"is .bor'ed to rece ve a reduced shank22 formed on the plunger. The shank 22 is provided at its tween the plunger and the base of the :bore

end with a socket adapted to receive a coiled compressmn spr ng'23-wh1ch is confined bein the head. The shank is maintained in 2 place in the head by means ofa screw 2 l engaging a socket in the shank as shown in FIYUI'GS 3 5 and 6." Thls'so'cket is made large enoughto permit a certain amount of play longitudinally of theshank in the head.

The head 21 has pivoted thereto at 25 one arm 26 ofa toggle, the other arm 27 of" which is pivoted at 15' to the slide 16. The arms 26 and 27 of the toggle are pivoted to each otherat 28. It, will be seen that'so long 4 as this toggle is kept straight by means to be hereinafter described the reciprocating movement of the slide 16 will be imparted Slidablymounted in; an extension; 29 on the head 21 and working in a-guide-way 30 in the slide 16 is a rod 31. This rod'has mounted thereon a compression spring"32 abutting at one end against the slide 16 and at its other against the extension 29. -This spring operates to move the head 21 to the I right (Figures 3, 5 and 6) when said head 'is released for such movement as will-pres ently be explained. The rod 81 is connected at 33 with an abutment or wedge 34- mounted to slide on an inclinedguide-way 35 onthe frame" 1. The wedge 34: is urged down.'

wedge 34. This wedge is provided with an upper fiat. face 39 adapted to engage an abutment 40 on the arm-27. It will be seen that when properly adjusted the wedgefi l by engagement with the abutment. a0] will maintain the toggle 26 and 27 in alinement during rotation of the shaft kin-thedirec-J tion indicated by thearrow in Figure 3.

During such rotation the slide moves to and fro on the frame 1 While the abutment 4E0 slides along the topface 39 of the wed e.

stud 42 adapted to engage the rod '31 to clamp the same against movement in the head 21. i The operation of this part of the machine will now be clear. The reciprocating movement of the slide 16 is imparted to the plunger 18 through the toggle 26 and 27 kept straight by the engagement of the abutment with the top face of the wedge 34. Theplunger 18 is thus moved to the left; Figure 3, to engage the nut 43 previously placed in cracking position. This movement forces the nut against the stationary abutment or aw 14; lined in the frame 1.

As the nut comes against the stationary abutment the plunger 18 will be momentarily arrested While the head 21 continues its movement compressing tie spring 23. The stud i2 is thus moved into engagement with the inclined face 11. Further movement of the head 21 will then cause the stud 4-2 to clamp therod 31 so that this rod will be carried along with the head .21. 31 in turn moves the wedge 34 to the left, Figure 3. This causes the wedge to move upward on the inclined guide 35. doing it lifts the abutment 4:0 so as tobreak thetgggle 26 and 27, whereupon the spring 32v will move the head 21 to the right as shown in Figure 6 thus releasing the nut; By ineans of the screw 37 the wedge3 1 may be adjusted so as to adjust the amount oi movement required to break the toggle. This adgustment can be made toa very fine degree so that any desired degree of pressure'may be exerted upon the nut before the toggle is released.

Pivoted on the frame 1 is anarm 416 which has mounted thereon a bracket 17 provided with a pair of receivers or cradles e8, one

opposite each of the plungers 18. The receivers {18 are adapted to receive the nut and to hold the same in cracking position, and

for this purpose they are arranged to stand between the shank 19 and theabutment a4 when-the arm 46 is in raised position as shown in Figures 3 and 5. This arm carries a cam roll 49 adapted for co-operation with a cam 50 carried by the shaft 11. This cam is so timed with relation to the movementof the plungers that it will lower the arm 46 to the position shown in Figure 6 after the cracking operation is completed and so as to discharge the cracked nut.

The shaft 11 carries a pair of beveled gears 51 cooperating with a pair of. similar gears 52 on stub shafts 53 suitably mounted in' brackets 54 attached to the frame 1. Each stub shaft carries a sprocket 55 adapt- The rod I In so ed to drive by means, of a chain 56 two other sprockets 57 and 58 carried on stub shafts also mounted on the brackets 54. Also mounted on each of the brackets 54 is a hopper 59 for receiving the uncracked nuts, the arrangement being such that the chain 56 passes through the hopper in its upward travel over the sprockets. Each chain is provided with a series of holders or buckets 60, each adapted to pick up and carry a nut as it passes through the hopper. Each bucket is formed with a series of outwardly projecting teeth or arms 61 and the bottom of the hopper 59-is provided with a gate 62 having corresponding slots 63 adapted to permit passage therethrough of the teeth 61. Each bucket is further provided with an upstanding pin 64 which stands above the bucketin such a. position as to prevent the lodgcment of more than one nut through which the operation may be ob;

served, h lounted within the housing and opposite the chute 65 is a stop or guide plate 69 adapted to guide the nut into the receiver a8 and to prevent its over-shooting the same. v

In order to prevent the lodgement of fragments or nut shellin the cracking jaws. clearing elements are provided as illustrated in Figures 8, 5 and 6. The shank 19 is provided with a longitudinal slot adapted to receive a sliding plate 70 having an upstanding progection 71 at its outer end.

This plate is maintained in place by a pin As the plunger is' and slot connection 72. retracted tov the position of Figure 6 the projection 71 engages a stop plate 73 mounted on the housing 67 so as to drive the plate 70 out of the shank to dislodge any fragment which may have caught in the jaw 20. Similarly the arm 16 carries a plate 7st adapted to enter a recess 75 in the stationary jaw 14. As the arm 16 drops to discharge the cracked iniii. the arm ti sweeps out of the recess Y5 to dislodge fragments of shell. i y

After the cracking operation has been completed and the eccentric 13 retracts the slide 16, the pivot pin 25 ofeach tog le,

and is retarded thereby so that further llhl . nut.

movement of the pitman l l will straighten thetoggle. In the operation of this ma china-therefore, the nuts to be cracked are putinto the hoppers 59. Yi hen the motor 7 (36. The nut then passes down the chute and. 1S. guided by the plate 69into the receiver.

or plate 48. When the nutha s thus been placed in cracking position the eccentric 13 moves the slide 16 tothe left (Figure 3) so as to'carry the plunger 18: and the crack-- ing jaws 19 against the nut which in turn is forced against the stationary abutment 44. l he plunger'is then arrested and operates to clampthe rod.3l as previously described. This carriesthe wedge, 34 forwardly so as to break the toggle andrelease the pressure on the-nut, the movement otthe plunger, between the time-that the; bar 29 is clamped and the time that the toggle is released by the. wedge, being. adjustable so as to put just the required cracking pressure upon the This adjustment is accomplished by the screw 37 and maintained by the detent 38. It will thus be seen that the adjustable wedge is adapted to provide a definite and predetermined engagement of the nut for cracking. As soon as the toggle is released the cracking jaw is instantly retracted.

When the cracking operation is completed the receiver carrying the cracked nut is dropped vertically from its position between the jaws and is tipped to discharge the cracked nut. At the same time the clearing elements and 74 operate to clear the jaws. It is thus insured that the machine is at all times kept free of nut shell fragments and other debris,

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of constructionwithout departing from the spirit of this in vention; it is to be understood, therefore,

that this invention is not to be limited to.

the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described the invention what claimed is: I

l. A nut-cracking machine, comprising, means for placing a nut in cracking posi tion,-ineans engaging the nut to. crack the same adapted to release the nut at a predetermined pressure thereon, and means for adjusting the'eirtent of such pressure.

means for placing a nut in cracking position, means engaging the nut to crack the same adapted to release the nut at a predetermined cracking means after a pressure thereon, and an adjustable element. movable with said. engaging means for ad;

justing the extent of such pressure.

3. A nut cracking machine,.xcomprising, f

meansrfor placing a nut in cracking position, means engaging the nut to crack the same adapted to release' the-nut at a predetermined pressure thereon, and anad ustable wedge movablewith saidcngaging means for adjusting the extent of such pressure.

4. A nut cracking machine, comprising,

means for placing aunt in cracking position, releasable means movable for engaging the'nut to crack the same, and means independent at but connectible with ,said" cracking, means adapted upon. engagement of the nut therewith to release the same.- 7

5'. A. nut-cracking machine, comprising, meansfor placing. a .nut in cracking position, a solid abutinent,.cracking means movable to force the nut against said abutment to crack the same, and means connectible with said cracking means and movable there by adapted to release said cracking means at a predcterinin d pressure on theinut.

V 6.;A nut-cracking machine,*comprising, means forplacinga nutrin cracking posltion, a solid abutment; means movable'to force the nut against saidabutment tocrack j the same, and adjustable means-independent of but connectible with. said cracking means and movable thereby adapted to release said predetermined engagement with the nut.

7'. A nut-cracking machine, comprising,

means for placinga nut in cracking position, a solid abutment, means movable to force the nut against said abutment to crack the a same, means movable torelease said cracking means, and means actuated after a predeter mined engagementof said cracking means with the nut to connect said releasingmeans for movement by said cracking means.

8. nut-cracking machine, comprising, means for placing a nut in cracking position,

a solid abutment, a cracking element movable to force the nut againstsaid abutment to crack the same, releasable means for moving said 'element,and an adjustable element adapted for actuation upon a predetermined engagement of said cracking'element with the nut to release saidm'ovin'g means.

9. A nut-cracking machine, comprising, means for placing a nut in cracking position, asolid abutment, a cracking element movable to force the nut against said abutment to crack the same, releasable means for mov ing said element, and'an adjustable Wedge adapted for actuation upon a predetermined engagement of said cracking element with the nut to release said moving means. A nut-crack ng machine, comprising,

10; A nut-cracking .machine, comprising,

means for placing a nut in cracking position,

to crack the same, releasable means for moving said element, and an adjustable Wedge adapted for connection With said crackingelement upon a predeterminedengagement A thereof with the nut to release said moving means.

I '7 11. A nut-cracking machine, comprising,

a of more than one nut therein at a time.

12. A nut-cracking machine, comprising, a receiver for holding the nut in cracking position, longitudinally moving means for cracking the nut in" said receiver, a hopper positioned laterally of said receiver, and a conveyer passing through said hopper and adapted'to convey a nut therefrom to said receiver, and a bucket on said conveyor having an arm adapted to prevent lodginent of l v adapted to prevent lodgement of more than more than one nut therein at a time.

13. A nut-cracking machine, comprising, av

receiver for holding the nut in cracking posltion, means movable for cracking a nut 1n said receiver, means for releasing said crack- 30 ing means at a predetermined pressure on the nut, and means for re-setting' said crack mg means.

14. A nut-cracklng' machine, comprising, a 7

receiver for holding the nut in cracking position, means movable for cracking a nut in said receiver, means for releasmg said cracking means at a predetermined pressure on.

, said receiver, means for releasing saidcrack 111g means upon a predetermined engagee ment with the nut, and means engaging said cracking means on the return movement thereof for re-setting the same.

1 6. A nut cracking machine, comprising, a receiver for holding the nut in cracking position, means for cracking the nut in said receiver, a hopper, a conveyor passing through said hopper,a bucket on said conveyor having a series of arms adapted to support a nut, and a projecting pin on said bucket one'nut on said bucket.

in testimony whereof I atfix my signature this 13th day of April, 1925. I

LEO MYERS. 

